- Tim Wakefield won two World Series titles in 17 seasons with the Red Sox
- Wakefield’s former teammate Curt Schilling declined the team’s invitation.
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Tim Wakefield’s daughter Brianna threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park on Tuesday for the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Red Sox honored the 2004 World Series championship team at home when players paid tribute to Wakefield following his death in October. In February, his wife Stacy also passed away, losing her battle with cancer.
As a nod to their late teammate and his wife, the Red Sox had 17-year-old Brianna throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Later, she hoisted the World Series trophy with her brother Trevor, 19, before hugging her father’s former teammates.
“I just thought it was appropriate that she walked off the field with the World Series trophy,” said former Red Sox player Johnny Damon. ‘What a great day. Those kids are going through a lot and they know they have a lot of family, the team we had in 2004.
“They can always count on us,” he added. “Especially if Brianna ever gets a boyfriend, she has to check with all of her uncles.”
Brianna, the daughter of late Red Sox legend Tim Wakefield, threw out the first pitch Tuesday
Wakefield died of cancer in October and his wife Stacey died in February.
Wakefield was part of the 2004 World Series championship team honored at the game.
Boston is wearing heart-shaped No. 49 patches in honor of the knuckleball pitcher this season.
The Wakefields’ health conditions came to light when Tim’s former teammate Curt Schilling addressed their diagnoses on his podcast in September.
Without his permission, Schilling revealed that Tim was battling an “aggressive form of brain cancer,” while Stacy had pancreatic cancer. After Schilling shared the news, the Red Sox issued a statement requesting privacy on behalf of the Wakefields.
After facing backlash for revealing the news to the public against Tim’s wishes, Schilling declined the Red Sox’s invitation to attend the ceremony.
Still, most of the team that broke Boston’s 86-year title drought was present for the reunion and to honor their late teammate.
Brianna and her brother Trevor hoisted the 2004 trophy and hugged their father’s teammates.
Wakefield won two World Series titles after playing 17 seasons with the Red Sox.
‘We still like each other. We’re just missing a few guys that we really wish were here,” Damon said. “We’re a family there,” he said. “(Tim’s) kids are going to count on us to keep going and we’re all going to be there for them.”
Wakefield won the World Series twice while playing 17 seasons with the Red Sox. He retired in 2012, at age 45, shortly after recording his 200th career victory.
Additionally, Wakefield was remembered for his work off the field and his generosity to the community.
“He did a lot for charity and didn’t ask for cameras,” former teammate Derek Lowe told WBZ of Wakefield. “He did it for all the right reasons.”
